Patiala, October 27what may be termed as an environment-friendly initiative, Patiala Foundation, an NGO, today launched the Patiala Green Cabs - an eco-friendly rickshaw service, which would be available to user on a telephone call in the royal city of Patiala.

A function in this regard was held at Rajindra Gymkhana and Mahendra Club, where chairman Patiala District Planning Committee Surjit Singh Rakhra and Patiala Divisional Commissioner GS Grewal formally flagged off the rickshaws.

Equipped with FM radio sets and first-aid kits, the rickshaws are made of metal only. "The traditional rickshaw were made of wood having weight of 100-110 kg but the Patiala Green Cabs are made of metal and weigh only 85-90 kg. This will reduce immense physical stress on rickshaw pullers and because of their aerodynamic design, it will be easier to ply," said, Ravee Singh Aahluwalia, the general secretary of Patiala Foundation and the brainchild behind the project.

Aahluwalia said one rickshaw would cost them Rs 9,700 and they are getting them manufactured from a unit in Meerut (Uttar Pradesh). "We have divided Patiala city into 12 zones and every zone would spread over an area of 1.5-km radius. To begin with we have launched the project in one zone of Leela Bhawan, where 10 such rickshaws will ply," he said, while adding that they would be giving these rickshaws to the rickshaw pullers at a nominal daily rent of Rs 20.

"We would be providing uniform, identity card and health insurance of Rs 1 lakh to a rickshaw puller and if there is no complaint of the rickshaw pullers plying the Patiala Green Cabs for a period of 15 months, the rickshaw puller will be given the ownership of the rickshaw," said Aahluwalia. He further said the entire project was being funded by their NGO and gradually the project would be implemented in entire city. "The basic idea is to project the Patiala Green Cabs to promote eco-friendly, short distance mode of transport, besides offering a sustainable livelihood to rickshaw pullers also," he added.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

The response:The district administration has received more than 50 applications for the newly launched Eco Cabs. Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said the environment-friendly rickshaws would soon render the traditional rickshaws outdated.

The design: Designed by IIT engineers, an Eco Cabs weighs 35 kilograms, much less than the conventional rickshaw, and comes equipped with a fire extinguisher, first aid box and seat belt. It has specially designed twin floors — designed to facilitate the elderly and the physically challenged.

Heritege look: A typical dome and arch on the back of the rickshaws add to the heritage look of the city. Each unit costs Rs 9,000 and banks have shown interest in providing loans on easy installments. "The cabs have an advertisement panel to help the puller earn some extra money," said Pannu.

Amritsar, October 15Fifty-five-year-old Jasbir Singh, who has been plying a cycle-rickshaw for past two decades in Amritsar, finds the new eco-friendly rickshaw lighter to ply and easy to own in comparison to the conventional one.To promote this modified rickshaw in the city, the Amritsar administration has given its nod to carry advertisement panels on its, a special loan pattern and an accidental insurance for the operators.

Deputy Commissioner K.S. Pannu said the income generated through advertisements would go to the rickshaw-pullers. "It would be an additional income for the rickshaw-puller. Talks are on with a number of companies for giving advertisements," he said.

When Jasbir Singh was told about this offer, he was excited. "Now my dream to own a rickshaw is not far. Earlier I used to shell out between Rs 35 and Rs 45 per day as rent, but now I would have to pay back an instalment of Rs 500 per month. I will earn some extra money from the advertisement panel," he said. He has a family of four to support.

The district administration has tied up with certain banks to offer special easy loan. The aspirants for this vehicle would have to furnish cross guarantee formality to avail loan.

"The rickshaw would cost about Rs 9,000. We have tied up with Punjab National Bank and the Oriental Bank of Commerce which have offered to extend loans at 4 per cent rate of interest. We have received more than 50 applications. Presently we have been getting it manufactured from a Delhi-based company but seeing its popularity, six local cycle-rickshaw manufacturers have offered to make an improved version of the eco-rickshaw. The market competition would force its rate to come down," Pannu said.

In another first move, the administration has proposed to introduce an accidental insurance scheme for the eco-rickshaw pullers wherein they would have to pay an annual premium of just Rs 50 to be the beneficiary of an assured amount of Rs 1 lakh, to be claimed by his kin in the case of accidental death of the bearer.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

It took several years for the Abohar-Fazilka railway link to have its foundation laid. It's been over six years since then and the 28-km stretch us far from completion.This, when the project was supposed to be completed in three years, as was announced by the then railway minister Nitish Kumar on February 1, 2004, at the function where the stone was laid.

The link is vital not only for commuters from the two towns, but also from the military point of view. It would mean easier transportation of men, supplies and arms, and may open up new trade avenues as well, said Vikram Ahuja, a trader from Fazilka.

A railway line between the two sub-division towns has been hanging fire since Independence, and it was during the NDA regime that the them Ferozepur Lok Sabha MP, the late Zora Singh Mann of the SAD, persuaded the government to start work.

The platforms for the new link are ready at both Abohar and Fazilka stations, but that is futile until the track is operational , rued Dr Amar Lal Baghla, president of Northern Railway Passenger Samiti. When contacted, Northern Division Railway Manager, Ferozepur, Vishvesh Chube said work was in the final stage and would be complete by the end of the year.

Looking for Fazilka Merchandise?

If you can't make it to the lovely city Fazilka, now you can order Fazilka merchandise online and have it shipped to you. To fulfill all your shopping needs- Fazilka apparel, books, tilla Jutti (Handmade embroidered leather shoe), Music Albums and many more - right on the virtual Love Fazilka Online Store.

Best selection of officially endorsed products under Brand Umbrella of "The Republic of Life".

Monday, October 11, 2010

FAZILKA: The fazilka residents who are obeserving hunger strike for the last 56 days to get district status for Fazilka have resolved to intesify their agitation. The city observed complete bandh on Sunday last and people from all walks of life joined it.Sanjha Morcha convener Sushil Gumber said the agitation would be intensified. He asked the volunteers willing to participate in fast-unto-death to deposit their affidavits, for acceptance of the demand in the third phase of the agitation. He declared that the relay fast dharna would continue till further decision. Sentiments of people connected with the demand of according district status to Fazilka also compelled BJP MLA Surjeet Jiyani and his arch rival and former Congress MLA Mohinder Kumar Rinwa to share a common platform. Both these leaders sat side by side at a dharna staged on the national highway number 10 (Ferozepur-Delhi road) at Malout Chowk here for hours.Townsfolk and activists of various social, voluntary, farmers, labourers, business, employees and industrialists organisations, who have been participating in the second phase of the agitation launched by the Sanjha Morcha about 55 days ago, also stopped rail traffic on the Ferozepur-Fazilka rail section. Members of local Bar Association, led by its president Shushil Gumber, who have been carrying out the agitation, were mobilising people to make the bandh forceful so that the government could accept their demand.President of the Beopar Mandal Ashok Gulbhadar said it had been decided to give an ultimatum of 10 days to the government to accord district status to Fazilka. If it failed to do so, the town would witness 72-hour long bandh, he added. Gumber said fast would continue adding that people had been enlisting their names for the same. The movement for getting district status had gained such a momentum that leaders of various political parties had been coming forward in hordes to join the same. Congress MLA Mohinder Kumar Rinwa said if the government held a referendum to know feelings of residents of Fazilka and its neighbouring towns and villages, it would come to know that these people could make any sacrifice for getting district status for Fazilka. BJP MLA Surjeet Jiyani said he would abide by the decision of the Sanjha Morcha and would be happy to perform any task, which would be assigned to him by it. Jiyani said he was ready to sit on fast for getting the district status for Fazilka.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Fazilka, October 9The Graduate Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF) has introduced online sale of famous Fazilka goods on its website www.lovefazilka.org/store. The website was launched today at the local Pratap Bagh by the president (GWAF) Umesh Chander Kukkar and senior members Sanjeev Nagpal. People can buy world-famous Fazilka jutti (handmade embroidered leather shoe) and other Fazilka merchandises online from today.

After launching the website general secretary, GWAF, Navdeep Asija, while interacting with the media said in the first phase four types of Jutti (two types of each for men and women), some books written by Fazilka-based authors, two types of cotton made T-shirts and Compact Disc (Fazilka Shahar Hamara Hai) would be available for online sale. The significant aspect of the online sale is that these commodities would be available at competitive prices as it would be sold on direct selling pattern. The merchandise could be shipped to the purchaser after depositing the money in advance. This 'Tilla Jutti' has been registered as a geographical indicator to the name of Fazilka under the Patent Act of India. Notably, the Fazilka 'Tilla Jutti' had been the choice of former president of India Giani Zail Singh, former chief ministers of Punjab Partap Singh Kairon and Beant Singh, and Badal family, artist Bhagwant Mann, among others.

A quiet revolution is in the offing for users of public transport in the holy city of Amritsar. Unsafe cycle rickshaws will soon be replaced by specially designed eco-friendly cycle rickshaws, thanks to the state Tourism Department's initiative. In a first-of-its-kind feature, the new rickshaw will be equipped with a small FM stereo, fixed in an intelligently designed space beneath the roof. The control panel of the FM would be at the disposal of the passengers.

Made of a green steel frame, contrasting with a yellow canvas canopy, this rickshaw is an eco-friendly mode of transport. It is lighter in weight in comparison to the traditional rickshaws. The safety aspect is the highlight of the new model.

The approach to the passenger seat has been kept low. The two steps offer an advantage for elders, ladies and children. It has also been equipped with a seat safety belt and there is also a provision for a first-aid box kit, newspapers and a small trash box at the back to avoid littering on the road .

Additional luggage space under the passenger seat too would add to the comfort of the passengers.

Manufactured by a Delhi-based firm, the Punjab government has ordered 10 rickshaws at present. The vehicles are being assembled on the premises of the Red Cross Bhawan.

The Deputy Commissioner Amritsar, KS Pannu, elaborated on the detailing of the cycle rickshaw. The canopy has been designed in a way that it would give an impression of the heritage arch of the Khalsa College building. Unlike ordinary rickshaws, it weighs around 65 kg, against the 100 kg weight of existing ordinary rickshaws. The number wooden components used has been reduced. Hollow steel pipes have been used to frame it. Mango wood, which is lighter in weight has been used as a support beneath the seat and the backrest.

The idea of introducing new rickshaws was conceptualised by the Department of Tourism, Punjab, and the Amritsar administration. The services of Graduates' Welfare Association, Fazilka, were engaged to implement the project. The rickshawpullers were excited with the new venture and felt that their dream of owning a rickshaw could be fulfilled.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

India would like contentious issues such as security, gas price, and transit fee on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline network to be resolved before December. "We would like these issues to be resolved before December when a proposed meeting of the Heads of the States of the partner countries is expected," a senior official told Business Line.

Pakistan's assurance

On the security concerns raised by India for the 800 km stretch of the over 1,680-km pipeline network that will fall in Pakistan, the Pakistani side has agreed to give a presentation and allay the apprehensions.The network in Pakistan will pass through Quetta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Pakpattan. It will enter India from Fazilka in Punjab. "Pakistan has agreed to give a presentation before the official-level technical working group on how it will handle the security of the network," Mr Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, told Business Line.

Afghanistan was the first to offer to give a presentation at the next technical group meeting on how it will handle the security of the network for the 735-km stretch, which falls in its region. A stretch of the network will pass through Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Transit fee

"The project will get us about 38 mscmd of gas. Looking at the significance of this project to make it successful it is important that all stakeholders should recognise certain facts. The transit fee for the gas through various countries be kept at minimum, the security issues be properly addressed, and there should be complete clarity on the institutional mechanisms for this," he said.

"Before taking this project further, the pricing and other Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) issues need to be resolved to the full satisfaction of all partner countries," he added.

Tech group meetings

"There are two more technical group meetings to be held that would be followed by steering group meetings," he added. Mr Prasada was recently in Turkmenistan to sign the initialisation of the Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA) and the Heads of Agreements for the proposed GSPA.

The TAPI project envisages constructing a 1,680 km of pipeline with a total gas capacity of 90 mscmd. The length of pipeline in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan up to Indian border is 145 km, 735 km and 800 km, respectively.

Monday, October 4, 2010

To be launched this year, new rickshaws will have FM radio, seatbelt, first-aid box, reading material, dustbin and fire extinguisher

The new Amritsar rickshaw, which will be launched in the holy city within this year, is going to offer passengers a musical ride. In a first-of-its-kind feature, the rickshaw will be fitted with a small FM radio on the roof, with the control panel for the channels within easy reach of passengers. In addition, it has also been provided with a seat belt for the comfort of small children or aged persons who may use the rickshaw.

The humble rickshaw has caught the fancy of civic developers in Punjab. The lightweight version of the environment-friendly transport is one of the pet projects of Punjab Tourism and the district administration of Amritsar. And Patiala Foundation, an NGO based in the aristocratic city of Punjab, is readying to launch the 'Patiala Green Cab', with plans to introduce the dial-a-rickshaw facility in the city.

Meanwhile, 10 Amritsar rickshaws designed and made by a Delhi-based firm reached the holy city today. The back canopy of the rickshaw has been given the shape of the arch of Khalsa College. The arch is a major feature of Sikh architecture. Deputy Commissioner Amritsar K S Pannu told The Indian Express that with the help of the Red Cross, the district administration is identifying the 10 rickshaw-pullers who will be given new rickshaws manufactured for the city.

"The lightweight rickshaws that we will introduce in the city will be functionally better and will have an aesthetic appeal too. People will start demanding these rickshaws, and we want the local manufacturers to start making more and more of these for the city," he said.

Sandeep Arora, the Delhi-based manufacturer of these rickshaws, said that he has provided a first-aid box, space for keeping newspapers or magazines, and a small dustbin on the side so that passengers do not litter the city roads. A small fire-extinguisher has been provided too. Navdeep Asija, who has been actively working with the Amritsar administration on this project, added that the colour of the new Amritsar rickshaw is green, to reflect that it is an environment-friendly vehicle.

Arora stated that while the cost of the lightweight rickshaw in Delhi is Rs 8,000, the Amritsar rickshaw may be priced about 15 per cent higher because of the added features. Punjab Principal Secretary (Tourism) Geetika Kalha told The Indian Express that while the budget for the new rickshaw is Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000, it would be better if the cost worked out closer to the bottom level, so that it would be easy for the rickshaw-puller to repay the loan taken from the bank to buy it.

Meanwhile, the Patiala Foundation is working on the introduction of the green cab in the city. Foundation General Secretary Ravee Aahluwalia told The Indian Express that the dial-a-rickshaw facility will be introduced in October. "We have divided the city into 12 zones for the purpose. We are talking to banks for micro-financing of the lightweight rickshaws that we want to introduce here. But our welfare measures will extend to all rickshaw-pullers," he said.

On the pattern of the work done in Fazilka, the Patiala Foundation has decided to issue identity cards to all rickshaw-pullers. Aahluwalia said that tie-ups have been made with doctors to offer free consultancy and subsidised treatment facility to rickshaw-pullers. "Our effort is to work for the benefit of the rickshaw-pullers. We also want to offer an organised, efficient service to the residents of the city so that we are able to reduce both pollution and congestion on roads," said Aahluwalia.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/ecofriendly-rickshaws-to-give-passengers-a-musical-ride/692090/

Beautiful Fazilka

Fazilite Network..

About Fazilka...

160 year old historical town Fazilka of District Ferozepur, also known as Bangla, is located in southwestern Punjab (INDIA), about 325 kms west of Punjab State Capital Chandigarh, 85 km south-west of the district headquarters, Ferozepur and 200 km south of Amritsar. Fazilka is on India -Pakistan border and is 11 km off the international border with Pakistan. It is situated on the rice growing and cotton rich belt of the state and is one of the major rice exporting centers in India. Before partition, the town was the biggest wool market in undivided Punjab.

Fazilka’s origin dates back to AD 1844. It was established by Mr. Oliver and was christened after the original owner of the land, Mian Fazil Watoo. The first railway line through the town was setup in AD 1898 on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the accession of Queen Victoria. Being at the border, Fazilka also had to bear the brunt of the two Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971.

The famous ‘Tosha’ sweets have its origin in Fazilka. The first single cylinder steam ship in the world, Fazilka, was named after this town. Fazilka is also home to the second biggest TV tower in Asia, which stands at 305 m above the ground.
Amritsar International Airport and Ludhiana Domestic Airport serves Fazilka. Fazilka Railway Station is located on Abhor- Ferozepur Region of Northern Railways. National Highway 10 passes through Fazilka.

Geography & Demography of the City:

As of 2001 India census,Fazilka had a population of 67,424. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Fazilka has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 62%. In Fazilka, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age